4 reasons to start putting tea tree oil on your hair and how to do it

Tea tree oil is used alone or mixed with other ingredients in so many effective home remedies that it almost seems like a miraculous treatment. It is well known for the treatment of everything from athlete's foot and acne to sinusitis, and a lot of bacterial and viral infections, but few are aware of the wonders it can do for your hair.

If you are not familiar with tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, this volatile essential oil comes from the leaves of the tea tree, technically the native plant of Australia Melaleuca alternifolia and has been widely used throughout Australia for centuries. . The aboriginal communities used it for the first time as an antiseptic to crush the leaves and apply them to burns, cuts and infections. In the 1920s, its use spread out of Australia after the chemical. Arthur Penfold He published a series of works on its antiseptic properties. Due to its powerful antimicrobial compounds, you will often see it in the ingredients list of many body products, including skin lotions and shampoos. In fact, oil is becoming increasingly popular for natural hair care and can be used alone or in combination with other products.

If you doubt its effectiveness, these reasons will surely make you use tea tree oil to enjoy more beautiful, shiny and even longer hair.

Tea tree oil safety

Tea tree oil is generally considered safe for topical application, but should be diluted first with a trace of oil. It is recommended that you first check the sensitivity a patch test on the skin. For complete details on the safety of essential oil, read our guide here.

4 reasons to start using tea tree oil on your hair

1. Tea tree oil for longer and thicker hair

While tea tree oil does not necessarily accelerate hair growth directly, it can actually stimulate hair growth by helping to unclog hair follicles and nourish roots. If you suffer from dandruff and hair loss, there are many possibilities to help you, as dandruff can clog pores, as well as the incessant itching and inflammation that can cause hair to fall out.

A 2002 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that when a group of male and female participants used a shampoo with a concentration of 5% tea tree oil over a period of four weeks, almost half experienced a significant decrease in dandruff. Only 11% of participants in another group treated with a placebo reported an improvement. While research does not prove that tea tree oil makes hair grow directly, it does offer evidence of how it can help. Tea tree oil effectively moisturizes the hair so that the scalp is no longer dry or itchy, and also helps prevent the accumulation of dead skin cells, as well as residues of other hair care products, which leads to the formation of longer and brighter strands. At the same time, the tea tree oil can also control the excess oil produced in the scalp that can block the hair follicles, preventing hair growth.

There are several ways to use tea tree oil for longer and thicker hair. One of the best is to use it as a massage oil on the scalp, although you must first dilute it in a trace of oil. Simply add a few drops to a carrier oil such as almond, olive or coconut oil in its liquid form, and massage it into the scalp. Then wrap your hair in a towel and let it sit for about 10 minutes to absorb all the benefits of the oils before rinsing it. Begin by applying the treatment two or three times a week and, after experiencing the desired results, continue weekly.

For extra deep treatment, to be used no more than once a week, use hot oils. A treatment with hot oil is especially effective to treat both dandruff and hair loss. Follow the instructions above, mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a carrier oil such as almond, jojoba, olive or coconut oil, and then heat it on the stove. He wants it to be hot, but not hot enough to burn his scalp. When it is at the right temperature, massage it into the scalp and then wrap it quickly with a towel to keep it warm. Wait 30 minutes before rinsing it. The heat helps open the hair follicles, helping the oils penetrate the scalp.

Another option is to make a spray of tea tree oil that can be applied to your hair and leave it inside. Just fill one glass spray bottle with water, and add about 5 drops of tea tree oil per ounce. Spray it in the morning and leave it throughout the day to combat dandruff and stimulate hair growth.

2. Tea tree oil to combat dandruff

As mentioned, tea tree oil is excellent for combating dandruff, so even if you do not experience hair loss and / or look for longer and thicker hair, if you have a problem with dandruff, it is one of the best remedies that exist, thanks to its antifungal and antibacterial properties. The oil fights the fungus that causes dandruff without drying the scalp. It also serves as a natural conditioner and eliminates the problems that cause the scalp to fray.

To use tea tree oil to treat dandruff, you can simply add it to your regular shampoo, using approximately 10 drops per eight ounces of shampoo. Wash your hair as you normally do, but let the shampoo and tea tree oil stand for five minutes before rinsing to allow the scalp to absorb the benefits.

To obtain even more rapid and effective results, apply a treatment during the night filling a small empty bottle approximately three quarts with almond oil, coconut oil, olive oil or jojoba. Then add 15 drops of tea tree oil and mix well. Apply the mixture to your scalp by massaging for several minutes, making sure that the scalp is completely saturated. Place your hair in a shower cap or other type of cover to prevent oil from getting into the pillow cover and keep it overnight. In the morning, wash your hair as you would normally with the shampoo and then apply the conditioner.

3. Tea tree oil for itchy scalp

Even if you do not suffer from dandruff, it is possible that you suffer itching in the scalp that can also be extremely irritating and cause other problems such as hair loss. An itchy scalp is usually caused by a fungus, a bacterium or an allergic reaction, and it has been proven that tea tree oil combats these problems. It can even treat eczema of the scalp and folliculitis of the scalp.

There are several homemade recipes that use tea tree oil to address the problem, so you may want to experiment, starting with one in which you have all the ingredients now.

Combine 10 drops of tea tree oil with one tablespoon of organic, unrefined coconut oil in a small bowl.Mix well until the coconut oil becomes completely liquid, and both oils are mixed.Apply the oil mixture on the scalp massaging, concentrating on the dry and itchy areas, avoiding the hair and keeping it on the scalp as much as possible.Let sit for at least 30 minutes, but ideally at night.Rinse well and then wash with shampoo as usual, then with a good conditioner. Repeat the process at least once a week.

Tea tree, mint and olive oil solution:

This is a very powerful recipe for treating itchy scalp, so do not use it more than once a week.

Combine three drops of mint oil, three drops of tea tree oil and one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Add the oils to a cup of very hot water, but not scalded. Mix well.Wash your hair with shampoo as you would normally and rinse.Now massage the oil mixture into your scalp, allowing it to penetrate for several minutes before rinsing. Make sure you wash it completely to avoid a greasy appearance.If you find it difficult to get all the oil out, use a mild shampoo afterwards to remove it completely.

After the solution of the shower:

Wash and condition your hair as you would normally. Then, dry with a towel and comb your hair.Add approximately 10 drops of tea tree oil to the palm of your hand. Gently rub hands to disperse the oil.Massage the oil on your scalp, working to the ends of your hair. If your hair is especially long and thick, you may need a little more oil. If it is very short, cut it a little.Leave the oil and then dry and comb your hair as usual.

4. Tea tree oil to get rid of lice

According to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, more research is needed to find out how effective tea tree oil is in fighting lice. However, some studies suggest that it could be useful to treat this annoying problem. A study of 2012 in particular, published in Parasitology research, found that tea tree oil can kill lice in the nymph and adult life stages, as well as reduce the number of lice eggs that hatch.

Research carried out in 2010 at the University of Queensland in Australia and published.

in BMC Dermatology, He also discovered quite promising results. The experts treated children suffering from lice with various treatments, including a tea tree and lavender oil treatment. Only a quarter of those treated with a chemical lice shampoo containing piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrins were lice-free afterwards; however, almost all children treated with the tea tree oil solution were completely free of lice.

Of course, while more large-scale studies may be needed as scientific evidence for experts to recommend it as a safe and effective treatment against lice, those who have tried tea tree oil to eliminate lice appear to swear . That's because tea tree oil contains two elements known for their insecticidal properties that help kill lice: 1,8-cineole and terpinen-4-ol. In addition, the oil helps to eliminate the nits or the eggs of the lice, since it can dissolve the rubbery texture that connects the nits with the hair shaft, which facilitates its elimination when combing the hair.

Follow these instructions to use tea tree oil to eliminate lice:

Mix a tea tree solution with a mild shampoo by adding 3 to 4 drops of tea tree oil and 3 to 4 drops of lavender essential oil in a small bowl. Add about 95 to 100 drops of mild shampoo, or about the size of a quarter size; mix well.Add a few drops of extra virgin olive oil that will help suffocate the lice. Mix well again, until all the ingredients are well mixed. Work the shampoo mixture on your hair, massage it into the scalp area, where most lice and nits tend to be. Do not rinse, but cover the hair with a shower cap and let the shampoo remain for 30 minutes.After 30 minutes, apply the shampoo / oil in a foam, running it through the scalp and hair with your fingers to remove as much lice as possible.Rinse well with lukewarm water, making sure all the shampoo and debris has disappeared.Apply a non-rinsing conditioner to facilitate the removal of lice when combing hair.With a lice comb that starts on the scalp, comb the hair to remove all lice and nits. If it is very long, you may have to divide the hair into sections, combing each one at a time.Repeat this treatment daily for seven days to ensure that all nits and lice have been removed.